On-demand, multi-language business card printer

Abstract

A computer driven hand held business card printer contains in memory a plurality of different language versions in which the card is printed is selectable, prior to printing. A plurality of different types of cards each with plural language versions may be accommodated. Card content in the various languages is downloadable from a PC into the business card printer using an infrared communications link.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A hand held printing apparatus for printing content in selectable languages, comprising: 
       a. a paper path joining an input port and an output port;  
       b. at least one print head, situated along the paper path for printing content on a print medium as it traverses the paper path from input port to output port;  
       c. a storage medium containing a version of the content to be printed in an original language and plural different language versions of substantially the same content as the original language version of the content to be printed; and  
       d. a language selector for specifying the language of the version of the content to be printed, stored in the storage medium, that is to be printed.  
     
     
       2. Apparatus of  claim 1  further including a content selector for selecting a set of content for printing from among different sets of content. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a computer comprising a computer processor and memory;  
       a selector interface for indicating the language specified with the selector to said computer;  
       a printer interface connecting said computer to said print head;  
       whereby said computer controls said print head in accordance with the language specified by the selector to print the language version of the content to be printed that corresponds to the specified language.  
     
     
       4. Apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a magazine containing one or more instances of print medium for sequential printing on by said print head. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus of  claim 3  in which said selection mechanism includes a touch screen display. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus of  claim 3  in which said selector comprises a touch screen display linked to a map relating at least one location and corresponding language for said location. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus of  claim 3  in which said selection mechanism includes a global positioning satellite receiver linked to a map relating location and corresponding language for said location. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a communications link from one computer controlling said printing apparatus to a different computer for downloading content from said different computer to said computer for printing. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus of  claim 8  in which said communications link is an infrared communications link.